Ahsoka woke up and dressed comfortably for the day. After she finished, Shalene arrived.

"May I come in?" she asked Ahsoka.

"Of course, what can I do for you?"

"I have something for Sarah. I promised to give her something to wear for today."

"Oh, OK." Turning to Sarah's room, Ahsoka called out, "Sarah, are you awake yet?"

"Yeah," Sarah replied from her room. Instead of a door, a woven turu-grass curtain provided privacy.

"Your cousin is here to give you something."

"Send her in!" Sarah replied eagerly.

Shalene joined Sarah in her room.

"Good morning, Sarah. I hope you slept well," Shalene stated.

"I did, thanks," Sarah replied.

"Here's the top I promised you."

Sarah took it from her cousin and froze. Her head-tail stripes darkened when she saw it was a one-piece tube top.

If it's too loose, it will fall right off me! Sarah thought. And if it's too tight, everyone's gonna know I've started growing up.

"Are you OK?" Shalene asked.

"It's just... I usually dress more modestly than this."

"Don't worry. Females our age dress like this. I wore it when I was your age. It should fit you, and you'll look just like everyone else."

"Alright. I'll try it on."

Shalene smiled and continued to stand close to Sarah.

"Umm, can you wait for me outside? I want to try it on alone."

"Oh, of course. I'll wait." Shalene didn't understand why Sarah wouldn't try it on in front of her, but she was willing to grant her cousin's request.

Alone again, Sarah looked at the top one more time before she carefully put it on, doing her best to properly position it. Combined with the shorts she wore, the outfit exposed most of her body markings. Sarah looked down at herself. The top didn't feel loose. Most importantly, it wasn't too tight. Sarah wasn't sure what to think of the slight curving noticeable through the fabric, but she took a deep breath.

I will wear it today, just so Shalene won't think I'm not trying to be like everyone else, she thought.

Sarah took another deep breath and walked outside. Shalene wasn't waiting for her, but her mother was.

"Sarah, you look just like I did at your age. I used to dress like that from about your age until I was 15 or 16," Ahsoka said.

Sarah's jaw dropped in amazement. "Really?"

"I think I may have a few pictures of me that way back home. I'll have to show you. But let's go. It's breakfast time and I'm hungry."

Sarah cracked a small smile. She tried to imagine how her mother might look dressed this way. Still, she couldn't help thinking, What would father think of how I'm dressed?

As the group finished breakfast, Cayanna told Ahsoka, "You know, everybody helps out in the tribe in some way. Is there anything you think you can do for us?"

Ahsoka thought for a moment. Revealing myself as a Jedi isn't a good idea for now, so maybe I better try to avoid that, she thought. Thinking of how she spent the majority of the past several years, she replied, "Between raising Sarah and watching others, I've had experience with younglings."

"I suppose you can join me, then. That's what I help with here, that and teaching them language."

Ahsoka nodded and followed Cayanna.

A few seats away, Sarah asked Shalene, "What should I do today?"

Shalene blinked her eyes before answering, "Girls our age usually learn how to sew or hunt. Given you're new to Shili and defending yourself might come in useful, maybe we'll do that before the midday meal and then I can have you learn about sewing after that."

"OK, that's fine."

As breakfast ended, individuals slowly departed for whatever tasks awaited them.

"Did you sleep well, Ahsoka?" Cayanna asked.

Ahsoka nodded. "It was fine, really it was," she assured her colleague.

"This may work out for you. I don't know how much you know of our language, so this will be a good chance for you to learn—if you don't mind learning with younglings."

"I still know a little, but not very much. I came here in part to reconnect with my people's ways. Don't worry, I won't mind being with students younger than myself."

Elsewhere, Shalene and Sarah walked to a different part of the settlement that bordered the scrub lands.

"Where's your brother?" Sarah asked.

"Amarti is only ten standard years old. He's not old enough to learn yet."

"But you are at 14?"

"Yes. Plus, it pays to be the chief's daughter. Should I be asked to lead the tribe when I'm older, I need to learn as much as possible. So, I learn a number of different things, more than anyone else my age. Normally, they might not let you join us at 12, but I'm sure they wouldn't turn away my «blood cousin»."

"What did you just call me?" Sarah asked.

"Oh, that means 'blood cousin.' In the tribes, the term 'cousin' is often used very loosely. Anybody with kinship within the tribe uses the word freely. «Blood cousin» is used for family members. The relationships between family members are given higher regard. Family is first and foremost here."

"Interesting."

The pair reached a spot when an older male had already started his daily instruction.

«Shalene, sit down and join us. Who's your colleague?»

«This is Sarah, my blood cousin. She's visiting with her mother and I thought she should join us. I don't think she speaks our language.»

Turning to Sarah, the man spoke to her in Basic. "Welcome, Sarah. I just started my lesson for the day. Pay attention, and some day, maybe you will get the chance to prove yourself as a warrior."

Sarah, not knowing how to answer, simply replied, "Thanks," as she sat down.

Sarah watched as the man referred to a faded drawing of what looked like a large animal. Mindful of the potential language barrier, he conducted his lesson in Basic.

"If you remember what I showed you yesterday, it's difficult to slay a moving akul. The only fatal point is right here on the side of its neck. A properly-placed spear will cause it to bleed to death."

One of the young students raised his hand.

"Yes, Larono, you have a question?"

The boy pointed to the diagram. "Can't you just strike it there?" he asked, referring to the beast's chest.

"That's a good question. Unfortunately, the akul has thicker skin there, as if to protect it from our spears. So any wounds there won't be fatal. The only thing you'll have is an angrier akul."

The rest of the class giggled.

"Alright, everyone. Grab a spear, so I can see if you paid attention when I taught you how to hold them," the hunt master stated.

Sarah looked around did her best to hold her spear as the others did.

"Here. Hold it with a bit of an angle. When you throw, you want to throw with a curve, and not a straight line. Otherwise, you won't hit your target," her instructor told her.

"Thanks," she replied.

The instruction continued with an emphasis on how to throw the spears while judging distance and trajectory. Suddenly, a commotion interrupted everyone.

"Akul! Akul!" one of them called. Around them, other adults grabbed spears and ran out into the scrub land.

The hunt master quickly turned to his students and quickly said, "It looks like you'll be seeing what we taught in action. Come, but stay a safe distance away."

Everyone looked on in curiosity. Sarah, despite her nervousness, watched as a number of adults attempted to attack the akul with spears or bows and arrows. Although nobody landed a fatal blow, the akul eventually fled farther into the scrub land.

With it close to lunch time, the hunt master dismissed his students.

"I hope you paid attention. We'll talk about it more next time. And, be careful if you venture out. There could be more of them close by," he said.

As Sarah and Shalene walked back to the central area, their mothers ran up to them with visible concern.

"Sarah, are you OK? I heard about the akul!" Ahsoka said.

"Please tell me nobody was hurt," Cayanna said.

"We're fine. Sarah and I were safe the entire time. We stayed far enough away to avoid danger."

"She's right mom," Sarah added. "Besides, I tried to hide in the grass while watching the others."

"Thank goodness," Ahsoka replied.

For the rest of the day, news about the akul spread through the tribe. Da'Meon sent a few scouts to survey the scrub lands to see how many akuls might be active. While a tribe could easy hunt a small number, a larger pack posed more of a challenge and increased the chance for injury. Larger packs also meant that a neighboring tribe might assist with the efforts to hunt or drive away the beasts.

Despite the excitement, Sarah spent her afternoon learning how the tribe used needles made from thin, sharpened thimiar bones to sew items ranging from clothing to tent flaps. She could only look in amazement as Shalene and the others seemed to be far more experienced and proficient despite their ages.

As the pair rejoined their parents for dinner, Sarah noticed Da'Meon talking to her mother. Sarah wasn't close enough to hear the conversation, but she saw the both of them nodding before Da'Meon left.

As everyone slowly gathered and ate, Da'Meon made an announcement.

"My people, our scouts have confirmed three akul in the area, So we will have an akul hunt first thing tomorrow after breakfast," he told everyone.

Excitement and cheers rippled through the crowd. For those who had yet to slay an akul, it was another opportunity to complete their rite of passage and prove themselves as warriors.

As Da'Meon sat down with his family, he added, "You, too, Sarah, will be part of the hunting party. And so will you, my daughter."

Shalene smiled upon hearing the news. Sarah, however was shocked. Was she really ready for this after just one morning's instruction?

"Mom, are you sure I'm ready?" Sarah asked.

"I recommended you," Ahsoka answered. "I was around this age when I earned my headdress. So I think you're ready for your first chance to get one. Besides, we don't know how long it may be before you may have another chance."

Sarah nodded. She could only hope her mother's confidence wasn't for naught.

That evening, Shalene spent time in the guest hut speaking with Sarah.

"Mother is teaching Amarti some lessons tonight, that's why he's not here. But he thinks it's cool we're going to hunt tomorrow. He wishes he was with us," Shalene said.

"His time will come," Sarah replied.

"He's just a bit eager. Sometimes he forgets he's only ten standard years old and I'm 14."

"I just hope we're OK tomorrow."

"We'll be fine. Just be careful and remember what you learned," Shalene assured Sarah. "Besides, it's exciting to know this our first hunt—and we get to do it together."

Sarah nodded.

"What's it like, Sarah?"

"What do you mean?"

"What's it like where you live?" Shalene asked Sarah curiously.

Sarah thought for a moment. I don't think I should tell her anything about Jedi. Finally, she answered, "Well, I learn in a small group, too—just like the kids our age do here. The only thing is that we come from different families, and we don't have to worry about being chased by large beasts."

Shalene nodded. "What's that you wear around your neck?"

"It's my crucifix. It's a spiritual thing," Sarah answered, unsure if there was any type of religion on Shili.

"Oh, we don't have anything like that. But if you're spiritual, maybe you should do what we do and go without shoes except for special occasions. You'll feel more connected to the land if you do. And it will make it easier to hunt tomorrow."

Sarah nodded. "OK. I'll see if it works."

"Do you miss your father?"

"Yeah," Sarah replied. "I know he's been a bit fussy about how I dress lately, but we get along. If it wasn't for his idea, we probably wouldn't have come here."

"It's a shame he couldn't come with you."

"He's not a Togruta. He's human. But maybe some other time."

"It'd just be nice to see both your parents."

Sarah smiled. "He mentioned something about being safe. Maybe if that happens, he'll come with us."

Shalene nodded, but her attention was drawn to a rectangular device on Sarah's nightstand.

"What's that?" she asked Sarah.

"Oh, that plays music. Would you like to hear it?"

"Sure."

Sarah grabbed it off of her nightstand, Shalene fidgeted a bit when Sarah placed the headphones against her head-tails. She also fidgeted a bit when Sarah turned on the player.

"Are you OK?" Sarah asked.

"I've never heard anything like this before," Shalene admitted.

"Yeah, I guess not, but I hope it isn't too bad."

"Actually, it's kind of fascinating. I never knew they had music boxes like this."

Sarah chuckled at her cousin's comment.

"Hmm, I should get going, it's getting late. But I did want to ask what you thought of your outfit today?"

"I'm still not used to how much it shows, but I'm more comfortable wearing it now."

"That's good. You looked so embarrassed this morning."

"Well, father tells me to never be ashamed of myself. I can't help it if the outfit shows off all my pretty birthmarks."

Both girls giggled.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Sarah. Good luck."

"You, too."

After Shalene left, Sarah joined her mother in the hut's main room.

"So, are you ready for tomorrow?" Ahsoka asked.

Sarah nodded.

"Even if you don't succeed, I'm still proud of you for having the chance. I never thought you'd get to do this."

"I know what you mean. It's going to be hard to do it with my senses alone..." Sarah looked around before whispering, "... and not use the Force."

"That's what makes it so challenging. Not everyone succeeds; sometimes people die trying."

Sarah took a deep breath, unsure how to respond.

"I didn't mean to scare you, Sarah. But let's go to sleep soon. Tomorrow's a big day, and you'll need to rest up so you're focused."

"G'night, mom," Sarah replied. After Ahsoka left, Sarah took her datapad and recorded the highlights from her day. As she ended her entry, she found herself baring her sharp canine teeth in anticipation of the hunt.